A blood donor clinic is coming to Sidney on Monday, July 13, 2026, giving residents a chance to help shore up Canada’s national blood supply. Canadian Blood Services will run the clinic at the Mary Winspear Centre at 2243 Beacon Avenue from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Appointments are required, but same-day bookings are available. Residents can secure a spot online at blood.ca, through the GiveBlood app, or by calling 1-888-2-DONATE (1-888-236-6283).
Each donation collects about 450 ml of blood, which can help treat cancer patients, support emergency surgeries, aid transplant recipients, and assist those with bleeding disorders. But Canadian Blood Services is facing a pressing need for new donors. Only about two per cent of eligible Canadians give blood, and the organization has launched a push to recruit one million new donors over the next five years.
In British Columbia, an estimated two million people could donate, but just 65,000 are active donors. The summer months often see a dip in donations as people travel and break from routines, making clinics like the one in Sidney especially important.
To give blood, you must be at least 17 years old, weigh over 110 pounds, and be in good health. The Mary Winspear Centre is wheelchair-accessible and serves as a community hub on the Saanich Peninsula. Anyone who meets the eligibility criteria is encouraged to book an appointment and help fill the chairs.
